Acts 25:23-27 Meaning: Worldly Show Meets the Gospel
23So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
24Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I determined to send him,
26of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination I may have something to write.
27For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.”
23And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.
24And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
23So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in.
24And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.
26Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.
27For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.
23on the morrow, therefore--on the coming of Agrippa and Bernice with much display, and they having entered into the audience chamber, with the chief captains also, and the principal men of the city, and Festus having ordered--Paul was brought forth.
24And Festus said, `King Agrippa, and all men who are present with us, ye see this one, about whom all the multitude of the Jews did deal with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out, He ought not to live any longer;
25and I, having found him to have done nothing worthy of death, and he also himself having appealed to Sebastus, I decided to send him,
26concerning whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord, wherefore I brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that the examination having been made, I may have something to write;
27for it doth seem to me irrational, sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.'
23On the morrow therefore, Agrippa being come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and having entered into the hall of audience, with the chiliarchs and the men of distinction of the city, and Festus having given command, Paul was brought.
24And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye see this person, concerning whom all the multitude of the Jews applied to me both in Jerusalem and here, crying out against [him] that he ought not to live any longer.
25But I, having found that he had done nothing worthy of death, and this [man] himself having appealed to Augustus, I have decided to send him;
26concerning whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. Wherefore I have brought him before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, so that an examination having been gone into I may have something to write:
27for it seems to me senseless, sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.
Meaning in one sentence
Festus brings Paul before Agrippa with great pomp but no real charges. See how worldly power contrasts with the quiet strength of the gospel.
Context
This passage places us in a Roman courtroom in Caesarea. Festus, the governor, is stuck. Paul has appealed to Caesar, and Festus must send him to Rome. But he has no solid charges to include with the prisoner. So when King Agrippa and his sister Bernice arrive on a state visit, Festus sees a way out. He asks Agrippa to help examine Paul and give him something to write. The scene is full of pageantry: military commanders and city leaders fill the hall, the royal family enters with great display, and Paul is brought in as the main exhibit.
Key Words
The Greek word for pomp is phantasia, from which we get the word fantasy. It means showy appearance, a spectacle meant to impress. Luke is telling us that all this royal display is just that: a fantasy that will fade. The word unreasonable is alogos, same root as logic. Festus calls it unreasonable to send a prisoner without charges. He senses the absurdity of his position. And the word for certain or definite is asphales, meaning something you can rely on, firm. Festus has nothing firm to write. So the governor, surrounded by earthly power, admits he has nothing solid. Real substance belongs to the prisoner in chains.
How Christians Read This Verse
Many commentators note the irony of this scene. Adam Clarke observes that Agrippa and Bernice made this grand entrance in the same city where their father was struck down for pride. Matthew Henry points out that Festus, a Roman governor, is forced to acknowledge Paul's innocence, showing that the gospel can confound even those in authority. John Calvin sees God's providence at work: the truth breaks out of this worldly assembly. Across traditions, readers agree that the contrast between human pomp and the prisoner Paul points to a deeper truth about where real power lies.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume Paul must have been guilty of something, or that Festus was simply being cruel by keeping him in chains. In fact, Festus twice states that Paul committed nothing worthy of death. The governor wants to release him, but Paul's appeal to Caesar ties his hands. The injustice is not that Paul is mistreated, but that an innocent man remains a prisoner. Yet God uses this very situation to bring the gospel to the highest levels of Roman power.
Living This Out
You may feel small this week compared to people who have status, wealth, or influence. The room you walk into might seem full of important people. But remember Paul. He stood in chains before a king, a governor, and the leading men of the city. He had no platform, no title, no fancy clothes. He had only the truth of Christ. And that truth did not need a stage. It spoke for itself. You don't need to compete with the pomp around you. Just carry the gospel into your ordinary rooms.
Main takeaway: God's truth does not rely on human show; it stands firm even when the world has nothing concrete to say against it.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul was a prisoner, but a king came to see him. The king wore fancy clothes, but Paul had something more important to say. God talks to people even when they look small.
For ages 9, 12
Think about this: the governor had no real reason to keep Paul in prison. But Paul trusted God even when things didn't make sense. Meanwhile, the king and queen put on a big show. But the most powerful person in the room was actually the one in chains, because he carried the truth about Jesus. You don't need a big stage to make a difference.
Questions People Ask
Why did Festus bring Paul before Agrippa?
Festus had no real charges to send with Paul to Rome, so he hoped Agrippa could help him figure out what to write. Agrippa knew Jewish customs and could clarify the religious dispute, giving Festus something credible to report to the emperor.
What does 'great pomp' mean in this verse?
The Greek word is phantasia, meaning showy appearance or spectacle meant to impress. Luke uses it to highlight the contrast between worldly display and the quiet truth of the gospel Paul carries.
Was Paul actually guilty of any crime?
No. Festus states clearly that Paul had done nothing worthy of death. The charges were religious disputes, not violations of Roman law. Paul was innocent, but his appeal to Caesar meant he had to go to Rome anyway.
Why did Paul appeal to Caesar?
Paul had the right as a Roman citizen to appeal to the emperor for trial. He also knew from Jesus that he would bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11). The appeal allowed him to reach the capital and preach the gospel there.
How does this passage show God's control over events?
Although Paul was a prisoner in chains, God orchestrated the meeting with Agrippa, the governor, and the city leaders. The gospel was proclaimed to the highest levels of society through circumstances that seemed like setbacks but were actually God's plan.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study